The King's Captive

Banished from Kingdom

King Henry felt trapped by Queen Avalyn's pressure and intimidation. He sensed she was trying to control him and make him meet her demands. This situation weighed heavily on him, and he often thought about the irony of their relationship. After he removed the threat she posed to his reign, thinking it would earn her thanks and respect, he instead felt her resentment grow. His actions did not calm her ambition; they only widened the gap between them. The gratitude he expected from her felt more like a burden, overshadowed by her constant demands.

As the tension between them grew, Henry walked back and forth in the grand hall. The shiny marble floor mirrored the flickering candlelight from the fancy chandeliers above. His mind was filled with troubled thoughts, each one reminding him of their complicated past. He felt the walls closing in around him, creating a heavy atmosphere filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Henry felt anxious as he thought about Avalyn's recent behaviour. She often looked away, and her laughter sometimes sounded forced, like she was hiding her true feelings. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was keeping something important from him, a secret that could change their relationship.

With each step, Henry remembered their laughter and good times together, but now those memories felt unsettled. He wanted to find out the truth, so he decided to talk to Avalyn. He found her in the castle library, surrounded by old books and scrolls. When their eyes met, he saw both defiance and curiosity in her gaze.

"Avalyn," Henry began, his voice steady but filled with resolve. "We need to talk."

Avalyn raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "What is it now, Henry? Another demand? Another accusation?"

Henry took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "I know you're hiding something from me. Something that could change everything between us. I need to know the truth."

Avalyn's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly composed herself. "You think you can just waltz in here and demand answers? You have no idea what I've been through, what I've sacrificed."

Henry's frustration boiled over. "Then tell me! Stop keeping me in the dark. If we're going to make this work, we need to be honest with each other."

Avalyn's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, Henry saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. "Fine," she said quietly. "You want the truth? Here it is."

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke. "The elders and the councils of this kingdom have decided to strip your title and you will be banished from this kingdom."

A heavy silence filled the room, making it feel uncomfortable. King Henry's eyes, typically firm and strong, opened wide in shock and disbelief. He seemed unable to respond, as words escaped him, trapped by his mixed emotions. The weight of his choice pressed down on him like a heavy chain, tying him to his worries and fears.

Queen Avalyn felt a strong sense of relief, like a warm embrace. The years of manipulation, the fight for power, and the constant pressure he put on her were finally ending. She took a deep breath and straightened up, feeling satisfied as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. In that moment, she felt the burdens of her reign starting to fade away, replaced by new clarity and purpose.

"You cannot be serious, Avalyn," Henry finally managed to utter, his voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation. "This is madness! You cannot do this to me."

Avalyn's gaze was steady, her resolve unwavering. "It is not just I who have made this decision, Henry. It is the will of the kingdom, the elders, and the councils. Your actions have shown that you are unfit to rule, and it is time for you to face the consequences."

Henry's eyes burned with fury, but he could see the determination in Avalyn's eyes. He knew that arguing would be futile. "So, this is how it ends," he said bitterly. "Banished from my kingdom, stripped of my title and my honour."

Avalyn nodded, her voice calm and composed. "Yes, Henry. This is how it ends. Your reign of tyranny and manipulation is over. The kingdom will be better off without you."

As the guards moved to take Henry out of the ornate room, Avalyn felt a powerful sense of finality. The heavy burden she had carried for so long began to lift, and she felt a new energy surge within her. Her heart raced as she thought about the difficult battle she had just won. She felt King Henry thought he could just walk away by ending her brother's life just like that. He needed to learn from his ego and mistakes.

As Henry was dragged out, the grand doors of the chamber slammed shut behind him. Avalyn's heart pounded, her breath heavy with a mixture of relief and lingering rage. She could hardly believe she had finally rid herself of his oppressive presence.

But the weight of her brother's death still hung heavily in the air. She couldn't shake the image of his lifeless body, the blood on her hands. As she turned to leave the chamber, she found herself face-to-face with an unexpected visitor: a shadowy figure cloaked in black, their face obscured by a hood.

"Who are you?" Avalyn demanded, her voice sharp and filled with suspicion.

The figure lowered their hood, revealing a scarred face and piercing eyes. "I am Lorcan, a loyal servant to your brother. He left me with a message and a mission."

Avalyn's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? My brother is dead. How could he have left you a message?"